Barb's MS Journey
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Wow, Barb sure spends a lot of time Writing, Drawing Pictures and posting on Facebook!

6/11/2017

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1. The Cerebellum
"In humans, the cerebellum plays an important role in motor control, cognitive functions such as attention and language as well as in regulating fear and pleasure responses, but its movement-related functions are the most solidly established. The human cerebellum does not initiate movement, but contributes to coordination, precision, and accurate timing: it receives input from sensory systems of the spinal cord and from other parts of the brain, and integrates these inputs to fine-tune motor activity. Cerebellar damage produces disorders in fine movement, equilibrium, posture, and motor learning in humans.

Cerebellar atrophy has been observed in many other neurological disorders including Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, essential tremor, progressive myoclonus epilepsy, and Niemann–Pick disease."

2. Energy/Fatigue & Lassitude
Several different kinds of fatigue occur in MS. For example, people who have bladder dysfunction (producing night-time awakenings) or nocturnal muscle spasms, may be sleep deprived and suffer from fatigue as a result. People who are depressed may also suffer fatigue. And anyone who needs to expend considerable effort just to accomplish daily tasks (e.g., dressing, brushing teeth, bathing, preparing meals) may suffer from additional fatigue as a result.

In addition to these sources of fatigue, there is another kind of fatigue — referred to as lassitude — that is unique to people with MS. Researchers are beginning to outline the characteristics of this so-called "MS fatigue" that make it different from fatigue experienced by persons without MS.
  • Generally occurs on a daily basis
  • May occur early in the morning, even after a restful night’s sleep
  • Tends to worsen as the day progresses
  • Tends to be aggravated by heat and humidity
  • Comes on easily and suddenly
  • Is generally more severe than normal fatigue
  • Is more likely to interfere with daily responsibilities
MS-related fatigue does not appear to be directly correlated with either depression or the degree of physical impairment.


3. Lifestyle Adaptations

4 years ago in July, an MS Episode attacked my cerebellum, forcing me to retire from a job I loved for 45 years. Since then, my mom died, Gloria broke both her hips and has been placed in memory care, we sold our house and moved into a tiny condo, and Walnut, our 20 year old Siamese, died. I'm sure that other things have happened as well, which I don't remember. Oh yes, my short term memory has been damaged. The biggest challenge has been the lassitude entering my life. I spoke to my doc about 2 weeks ago, and she said that from this point on, I will only decline, and will not improve. I thinking' she doesn't know me very well. Or maybe she does, and impressing me strongly with that information was a wake up call. 

I am basically down to 1 activity a day. Maybe 2. 

Most people who know me would say I don't give up (like a dog with a bone!). They also would say I'm not one to complain. And they would also say that I am not very wise with my energy use, which is why God's wisdom in my energy use is on my prayer request almost weekly. 


5. So what does one do all day with  boundless mental capacity and creativity, and imagination?
(since they can't drive much, do much physically, and have to take a nap every day, especially after getting ready to go somewhere)

1. Write
2. Color 
3. Draw
4. Photograph EVERYTHING,
     including Kitchen Soap
5. Skype etc.
   AND 
​   Spend a Lot of Time on Facebook


'Nuff said.






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    Author

    Barb Berens
     is a woman 
    who is learning who she is day by day 
    with the help of her Heavenly Father.

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    BARB'S ARTWORK
    It seems to fall into the category of Aleatoric Art. I just scribble &  it looks
    like something 
    to me, so
    I turn it into
    whatever I see.


    ​Aleatoricart posted this description in September 2011 (this is an elevated view in my opinion):

    "Aleatoric Art is the ultimate collaboration between
    man and the elements. Happenstance, randomness
    and a twist
    of fate’s unwilling wrist go in halfseys
    with some of the most outstanding visionaries
    the planet can boast in a peaceful
    yet often violent serendipity of
    creative cacophony
    to produce works of art that go far beyond those
    of mere mortals alone."

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